Senate weighs expanded gaming in Florida

Florida’s state Senate Gaming Committee held a hearing Tuesday where witnesses testified in favor of and against expanding gambling in the state.

Several cities, counties and gambling companies hope Florida will relax its rules to allow “destination casinos,” the Panama City News Herald reported. Among those who spoke in opposition to the expansion was Richard Turner of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. He said the expansion would “cannibalize” what already exists in the state, according to the News Herald.

However, people from the horse and dog racing industry hope that allowing slot machines and poker rooms at their tracks could revive their industry, the News Herald reported.

In 2011, Genting bought about 30 acres in downtown Miami, including the headquarters of The Miami Herald, to build Resorts World Miami, a Las Vegas-style casino with residences, hotels, restaurants, retail and offices.

The Senate and House are preparing to commission an independent study that will examine the economic and social impacts of increased gambling, the News Herald said. After, legislators will decide whether to move forward.